Programs That Overwrite Hard Drives
Here are a few questions I’ve received recently from people like you, and my answers. I have edited and restated the questions a bit, for readability.
Do you know of a free or inexpensive program that will overwrite hard drives? My husband and I have updated to new computers, leaving us with two hard drives that have sensitive data that we would like to erase before disposing of them.
There’s a $20 program for Windows called Window Washer from Webroot that will wipe an entire hard disk so that its data is unrecoverable. Its maker calls this process “bleaching.” In cases where you don’t want to completely wipe a hard disk, the program can also securely erase individual files and folders, and can remove all traces of browser activity. I have tested it, and I can recommend it. You can get it at Webroot.com.
There are numerous other Windows file wipers, some of which may be free, though I haven’t tested them. To find these others, go to download.com and enter “file wiper” in the search box.
Since downloading the new Firefox browser, the panel at the top that shows the Web address and the back and forward buttons has disappeared. How do I get it back?
That panel is called the Navigation Bar and it can be turned on and off. It sounds like it somehow got turned off on your computer. To switch it on again, go to the “View” menu, select “Toolbars” and then click on “Navigation Bar.” The missing panel should reappear, and the next time you view that menu option, you will notice a check mark next to “Navigation Bar,” indicating it is on.
You can also use the same technique to switch the Bookmarks Toolbar on and off.
I have switched to Mac recently and never want to use Windows again. But the program I miss using on Windows the most is Microsoft Money. Do you know any way to make this program run on my Mac?
Microsoft (MSFT) doesn’t make a Mac version of Money.
However, all current Macs can run Windows and Windows programs. I suggest you pick up a copy of one of two programs — Parallels Desktop or VMWare Fusion. Both allow you to run Windows programs right alongside your Mac programs, even without displaying the Windows desktop. Microsoft Money would just appear in its own window, as if it were another Mac program.
This method works well, but it carries a price. Fusion and Parallels cost around $60-$70 each, plus you will have to buy and install a full, fresh, boxed copy of Windows.
- You can find Mossberg’s Mailbox, and my other columns, online for free at the new All Things Digital Web site, http://walt.allthingsd.com.
Comments
Walter wrote: “But the program I miss using on Windows the most is Microsoft Money.”
Crappy answer.
Why not suggest they surf to VersionTracker.com or MacUpdate.com and take a look at other personal money managers?
,dave
Posted by Dave Barnes at July 8th, 2008 at 7:07 pmSeriously, you need not spend money on wiping hard drives. A cute little program called Darik’s Boot and Nuke (DBAN) is available at http://dban.sourceforge.net. Download the image, burn it, and boot the machine with the disc. Follow the directions (make sure you know which drive you are erasing) and rest assured.
If you don’t plan to re-use the drive, simply drill several holes in it or put it under a train. I’ve been told by a forensics guy that physically destroying the drive is the best way to make sure no one gets to the data.
Posted by Ben Rehberg at July 9th, 2008 at 6:21 pmOn the mac, start up from your OS X system disk - or if the disk to erase is an external disk, just run disk utility. Choose erase on the volume, and then click security options. You have options to zero out data, do a 7 time pass of writing random data and erasing, or a 35-pass option. If these are insufficient for your need, you really need to put a drill bit through it…
As for MS Money, for that kind of money (Parallels + the price of Windows, now Vista unless you can find an XP) you should shop around for a good Mac option, of which there are many. Or try and use money with the version 1.0 of Darwine that just shipped (free) - http://www.kronenberg.org/darwine/ - If that works, you can use your existing copy of Money. Or if you buy Parallesl/VMWare - consider taking your OS with you off your old machine (of course, you can not run it on both your old machine and the Mac if you transfer the serial of either Windows OR Money).
Posted by Eytan Bernet at July 9th, 2008 at 10:15 pmVery satisfied with Window Washer on my older PC (XP) however they don’t seem to have a Vista 64bit version yet.
Posted by Joe Gallo at July 10th, 2008 at 2:41 pmHello,
I just bought a MacBookPro with 2gb of memory and 2.4ghz dual core processor. I also did not want to ‘recreate’ or transfer all my MSFT Money settings. I did look for an alternate Mac program, but none of the reviews sounded convincing and many wouldn’t take my money file directly without converting it to a .csv or something. I was using windows XP and my old laptop died. I had no trouble installing that same licensed version on my mac. after suffering through using Parallels 9yrs ago on an old mac-Quadra 610 I decided to give its new competitor, VMWare Fusion, a shot. I have to say i was not disappointed. If you don’t mind spending the money, playing with cool software and really like MSFT Money enough i recommend this setup.
I highly recommend VMWare for its easy of use, performance speed and reliability. I set it up with 20GB of my Macs hard drive and it’s running just fine. I have MacAfee virus software on my windows machine and when it updates and installs new downloads it significantly slows down the V-machine. Perhaps b/c i setup the v-machine to utilize 1 processor and 1gb of ram. [i suppose i could have beefed that up initially] I don’t use the windows V-machine for much else because i wanted to avoid loading it up with unneeded programs and slowing it down.I don’t recommend running VMWare when you are not planning to use it. I do notice a small decrease in performance in my mac when i run the program, but that’s understandable considering your literally running windows inside a program. I load it up about 3-4 times a week to update my Money software and pay bills then i just back it up and shut it down. [Personally i like to keep it in a separate 'space' using 'spaces' which comes with your mac. [it's nice to have it out the way] You need to keep your ‘virtual windows machine’ up to date just like a normal windows PC and you should consider some lite virus protection software for it b/c it can get infected just like all windows machines.
I did run into a snag, but it was related to my older version of Money. I had 4.0 or some other low version. Money is up to version 9 i think and in order to continue to use the auto download features you need to upgrade to the latest version and i believe it lasts for 2 yrs, at which you can extend it for a fee or upgrade to the newer version. I ended up getting the latest version and i like it. I was considering using the ‘lighter’ version, money express [i think], that doesn’t include tax support and in-depth investments. It doesn’t allow importing your old Money file, so i had to get the standard Money Plus version $40-50.
Posted by David Carosella at September 21st, 2008 at 9:17 pm